The #2 reason why library patrons report
increasing their usage of the library in the last five
years is “to do research and use reference materials.”
(more than borrowing books and using computers!) 2

95% of libraries offer eBooks, and
the median number of titles offered is
now 10,000! (That’s 12 times the
number offered just four years ago.) 6

The average library
spends 7% of its
materials budget on
eBooks; librarians expect
that to double by 2019.8

(Request copy here: http://www.thedigitalshift.com/research/ebook-usage-u-s-public-libraries-2014-report/)2xHOW DO PEOPLE WANT TO RESEARCH? 5

In “short bursts.” They don’t want to be sent to a full resource; they
would like to be directed to the specific information they need.

With intuition. While other eBook platforms direct users to a single,
title-level result, only GVRL allows cross-searches across all eBooks
and other resources to pinpoint relevant information.

People look to the library to filter out the best information.

26% of eBook titles are nonfiction (compared to
43% of their print collections). However, demand for
online nonfiction is robust, especially in areas like
self-help, jobs, health, how-to, hobbies and homework. 7
54% of public library users visit the library to
research topics that interest them. 1

54%

WHAT ARE PUBLIC
LIBRARY USERS DOING AT
THE LIBRARY?

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Consumer behavior studies, industry stats and eBook usage reports reveal what people want
from their libraries, how and what they're researching, and what libraries are doing to meet the
growing (yes, growing) demand for credible, cross-searchable nonfiction eBook content.

The Research Habits of Public Library Users

HOW HAS THE ROLE OF
THE LIBRARY CHANGED?

People view the library as the only
unbiased information curator
with the public interest in mind
(not driven by ad revenues or
self-interested algorithms). 4